Yet another 18650 Question from a NOOB

[Keeferes]

Hello everyone. I searched and I have read the Battery threads commonly referenced. Not sure If I'm missing it, but I can't find it. My new Vamo V5 will arrive today, along with 2 new Efest 2000maH 18650 batteries. My question...

What power level should the batteries be at before the fist initial charge. I know the Vamo will tell me what the charge level is, so figured I'll check them when they get here and then move forward based off some answers here. I have seen as low as 3.1, but as high as 3.7. So whats the best level since they are brand spanking new?

 

[Baditude]

There is no agreement on this procedure. The batteries will come shipped with a partial charge and will work in your Vamo. You can either run them down to around 3.5 volts and then charge them; or you can go ahead and throw them on the charger to charge them fully.

I typically will put new batteries on the charger when I first get them. It may take new batteries 2 - 3 charge cycles to reach their full operating capacity.

 

[Keeferes]

There is no agreement on this procedure. The batteries will come shipped with a partial charge and will work in your Vamo. You can either run them down to around 3.5 volts and then charge them; or you can go ahead and throw them on the charger to charge them fully.

I typically will put new batteries on the charger when I first get them. It may take new batteries 2 - 3 charge cycles to reach their full operating capacity.

Kind of what figures. That's what I do with cell [phones, Laptops, tablets, etc. Thanks for the reply, that was exactly what I was looking for.

 

[DaveP]

They will reach 4.1v to 4.2v when the charger cuts off. After that, during vaping they will drop slowly as you vape down to 3.2v and hit cutoff . Most of us swap them out and charge when they get to the 3.5v level. You get longer life if you don't run them down to the cutoff level. The lower you vape them the more heat is generated when you charge and the longer it takes to charge them. Batteries don't really like heat and stress.

I'm still rotating 4 AW 18650 lMR batts I bought over a year and a half ago. They are still going strong. My personal theory is that rotating more than 2 and giving them a rest period before vaping again is good for the battery as opposed to using two and rotating them on and off the charger. That, and having only two puts you into a situation where one failure makes you wait for the only remaining one to charge until you get a replacement. I didn't want to be in that position since it takes about 3 hours for a charge.

 

[Keeferes]

I'll be adding a couple more, as well as grabbing a couple 350's for when I am out an about. This was just to get me going for now. They will be cycled by one battery a day while the other rests. Maybe even 2 days between charges. My Evod non twist 900maH last me 8am until midnight everyday vaping about 3.5-4ml.

 

[SirSteve]

I'll be adding a couple more, as well as grabbing a couple 350's for when I am out an about. This was just to get me going for now. They will be cycled by one battery a day while the other rests. Maybe even 2 days between charges. My Evod non twist 900maH last me 8am until midnight everyday vaping about 3.5-4ml.

Sounds like you got a good plan. Two of my Efest 2000 MAH are over a year old, and they still do the job very well. There is a Vamo sub forum if you have any questions about your Vamo it would be a good place to check. Just for reference, VAMO

You probably already know about the Vamo sub forum, but maybe some others will stumble across this thread and find the link handy.

 

[The Ministry]

I get about 5 hours of decent vaping out of one 18350 - I'm thinking about upgrading to a 650 though for day to day use rather than carry a spare. I use IMR's, high drain 800mah 350's (two on rotation)

I vape around 4ml of juice on my V5, with pretty modest watt/volt settings. I doubt you would get from 8am to midnight out of one 350 though (just to warn you in advance!)

 

[Keeferes]

I get about 5 hours of decent vaping out of one 18350 - I'm thinking about upgrading to a 650 though for day to day use rather than carry a spare. I use IMR's, high drain 800mah 350's (two on rotation)

I vape around 4ml of juice on my V5, with pretty modest watt/volt settings. I doubt you would get from 8am to midnight out of one 350 though (just to warn you in advance!)

Yeah, I don't wan't an all day out of a 350. I just want the form factor for out on the bike. I am pretty sure after moving on to a Vamo from a straight Ego style I won't want to go back. I will most likely start looking at other mods, perhaps an MVP for on the bike. I think it will be easier to throw in my vest pocket. Just worry about breaking a tank off with the Vamo. That's why I am leaning to the MVP with like a mini PT2.

 

[The Ministry]

An MVP with a mini tank would work, and is my next purchase.

God this is addictive!!!

Let us know how you get on with the V5. I went from a standard Ego setup to the V5 and I've not looked back (early days, only had it a few days, but it's a hell of a difference!)